Europe for Nature Lovers: 10 National Parks to Visit

If you think all of Europe has been traveled and explored extensively, or if you simply don't feel like seeing cities – head to the most beautiful European national parks. There will be plenty to see, remember, and impress your Instagram followers with.

• Germany

Saxon Switzerland is located in Saxony on the border with the Czech Republic. The park was established at the beginning of the 20th century, but attempts to preserve the protected area were made even earlier. The landscapes are strikingly reminiscent of scenes from the movie Avatar and Zhangjiajie National Park, but getting here, to Saxony, is closer and cheaper.

• Italy

Italy is a record holder for the number of UNESCO-protected sites. There are as many as 51 here. Cinque Terre consists of five small settlements and man-made terraces, picturesquely situated by the sea amidst mountain slopes. The region is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the park's name means 'Five Lands'. The Dolomite Alps mountain range has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2009, and the great French architect Le Corbusier called the Dolomites 'the greatest natural architecture in the world'. Mount Etna National Park can safely be categorized as extreme tourism. Etna constantly erupts, sometimes so powerfully that the airport and local residents have to be evacuated urgently. All this does not deter tourists, who daily ascend to the crater to witness the volcano's beauty and power firsthand.

• Turkey

Göreme National Park, located in Cappadocia, is a true open-air museum, covering an area of 300 km2. In 1985, the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Ancient cave settlements and unusually shaped karst formations, created by nature itself, are still preserved here. Read more about Cappadocia in our article.

• Norway

Svalbard has seven national parks, and everything is absolutely expensive. This doesn't deter travelers who are willing to spend their last money just to enjoy the view from their dwelling – permafrost, polar bears, and kayaking among icebergs. Conquering the North Pole is not for everyone, but anyone who comes here can fall in love with the North.

• Iceland

Like most natural sites in this country, the glacier (and the national park of the same name) has an unpronounceable name — Vatnajökull. The park is the largest in Iceland, covering about eight percent of its area. Iceland's highest point, Hvannadalshnúkur (2110 meters above sea level), is also located here. Practice your tongue twisters and go conquer the northern beauties!

• United Kingdom

Cairngorms National Park in northeast Scotland was included in National Geographic's list of 20 must-visit places in the world in 2011. It features typical Kingdom nature with Arctic peaks, mountain lochs, and ancient pine forests. Cairngorms is an ideal place for hiking, mountaineering, winter sports, hunting, and mountain fishing. The tourist season here lasts all year round, and if you want to spend your vacation constantly amazed by the beauty of the landscapes – this is definitely the place for you. In Loch Lomond National Park, you'll have an amazing opportunity to be in solitude amidst untouched nature. Yaks and sheep graze here, with lush greenery and mountain landscapes everywhere. The name might sound familiar for a reason – the famous Loch Ness is located a 2-hour drive from Loch Lomond. Make sure to visit it! Upon arriving at what is almost the main tourist attraction – the lure – board a boat and embark on an hour-long journey across the lake. But, a tip from the author: it's better to go to a pub on the lake shore, order a pint of delicious beer and a juicy burger, and stay on the shore in complete solitude. When the tourist boat disappears behind the rocky outcrops, gaze into the distance and try to find the monster, which, of course, doesn't exist. Although...

• Croatia

Plitvice Lakes are located in the Croatian counties (županije) of Lika-Senj and Karlovac. This is one of the oldest national parks in Southeast Europe and a truly unique place. One of Europe's most visited parks attracts tourists from all over the world, and it's no wonder – just look at the photos. Swimming in the park is prohibited, and that's for the best – the water remains clean and clear.